PASAY CITY — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has returned ₱19 billion directly to over 700,000 members through Balik Ginhawa as of August 31, 2026, putting money back into the hands of government workers when they need it most.
For an ordinary government employee paying, for example, ₱20,000 a month in loan amortizations, six months of relief can mean as much as ₱120,000 in immediate purchasing power.
That is money that no longer has to go to loan payments for the covered period. Instead, it can help pay tuition and school expenses, settle household bills, cover medical needs, buy groceries, repair a home, or simply give a family more financial breathing room.
“Balik Ginhawa is about putting money back into the hands of our members and letting them decide where their families need it most. That can make a real difference in a family’s life,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said.
The refunds cover nearly 1.3 million loan contracts. Of the ₱19 billion credited under the two programs, ₱8.9 billion came from the first Balik Ginhawa, while ₱10.1 billion was credited through the enhanced Balik Ginhawa 2.
The amount brings GSIS closer to surpassing the ₱20-billion mark, with two months remaining before the program closes on October 31, 2026.
The first Balik Ginhawa began on March 1, 2026, followed by the enhanced Balik Ginhawa 2 on July 1, 2026. Both programs provide qualified members with refunds corresponding to loan payments covered by the moratorium.
Unlike a new loan, the relief does not require members to borrow additional money simply to obtain funds for immediate needs.
Veloso urged qualified members who have yet to avail themselves of Balik Ginhawa 2 to apply before the October 31, 2026 deadline.
“We want every qualified member to benefit. There is still time to apply for Balik Ginhawa 2, and we encourage our members not to wait until the last minute,” Veloso said.
Balik Ginhawa reflects GSIS’s broader thrust of translating the pension fund’s financial strength into benefits that members can experience in their everyday lives.
“Our goal is not simply to build a stronger GSIS. Our goal is to make that strength felt by every member and every family we serve. Ang pondo ng GSIS ay para sa ginhawa ng ating mga miyembro,” Veloso said.
